I think it's funny..

I've been categorizing all of my photos that I have scanned and have added on my computer via digital means and it's funny to look back on my style of picture taking. As with all things in life, you grow and change your outlook on things. Images that you once found breathtaking now appear to be somewhat ordinary. I do think that technology has a lot to do with that though, the need for the next bigger, better thing. I have been looking through all of my old 35mm pictures and I feel as though I have come a long way and have found my own personal style, finally.

At a recent camera show I attended there were so many people selling photographs taken in different eras with different pieces of equipment. The thought of selling my family's photographs is absolutely astounding to me and I could never imagine parting with such valuable things, but that's just me I suppose. I was pawing through an old box of images and it's completely amazing to see that as much as the style of photography has changed over the years, it's pretty much the same now as it's always been. I think it's more of the change of subject rather than the change of style, if you get my meaning. I guess what I'm trying to say is that in the older, sepia, faded, ripped corner pictures in that damp cardboard box at the obscure camera show, the subject was dressed for the time but the setting and posing is almost the same as some of the traditional poses you would see and use now. Not that I'm saying I would love to replicate an older photograph (although I probably would not say no) I am just saying that now the photos are taken in almost a more relaxed setting and not so proper as they used to be. The chairs may be set up the same way, but most of the portraits that are taken now are of people with smiles on their faces and people that you can tell are mostly happy to be there. Don't get me wrong though, I wouldn't be surprised to hear that the people in the photos I was looking at were the happiest people on earth, but those pictures surely did not show it.

With that being said, as much as I love modern technology and the theory of instant gratification I also love the excitement of waiting for film to be developed and awaiting the arrival of the good news or the bad news. I love documenting things with photography but sometimes throwing the strap of my '72 Minolta (or my newer Canon Rebel 35mm camera) on my neck and trekking out somewhere to see what I can find to shoot is more exhilarating than being able to see right away what the picture looks like. I do love digital for its versatility and response to camera shake and the ability to quickly set to a mode to capture exactly what you want, but I do love good old film for the "I'm going on an adventure" picture taking escapades.

Hopefully if this weather ever cooperates I'll be able to take a quick walk around the pond and share some great 35mm pics with you all!